Ch.6Chapter 1. Discomfort (6)

There are two reasons why I became friends with that Earthaboo.

First, they approached me directly.

I rarely initiate conversations with others unless they speak to me first.

Whether networking is helpful or not, I couldn’t think of any reason why I should expand my social circle. After all, relationships require maintenance, and the more people you know, the more troublesome that maintenance becomes.

Originally, I had no intention of befriending an alien, but this Earthaboo persistently tried to talk to me.

“You have the potential to be an idol.”

I have no idea where that confidence came from. To be honest, they probably weren’t thinking anything at all.

You know those types of people, right? The ones who say things like, “My dream is to make foreign friends.”

They probably just said whatever came to mind because I seemed like the most approachable Earth person in our group.

The second reason is that we lived in nearly the same neighborhood.

I say “nearly” because we don’t actually live in the exact same area.

It’s more like we live in adjacent neighborhoods.

Apparently, they ended up in this area after searching for places with low rent.

Since our commute paths often overlap, we inevitably end up having various conversations.

I’ve often been told I appear sharp, but I’m actually not good at rejecting these kinds of interactions. I might be able to brush off complete strangers, but cutting someone off when we see each other regularly feels wrong.

Well, it’s not like I dislike it anyway…

That doesn’t mean I want to introduce them to my friends. For one thing, they’re connected to my workplace, and more importantly, given their personality—

“By the way.”

Hayun’s friend, who had been scrutinizing me with narrowed eyes as if searching for weaknesses, looked at the Earthaboo who was practically hanging off my shoulder.

“Looks like you’re in a good mood after having a drink today.”

Surprisingly, that statement was accurate. I really did have “one drink.” Just one, and without dessert.

“Of course! Something good happened!”

“…”

Seeing the slight upturn at the corners of her mouth, she seemed to think she’d found something to use against me.

“Oh my, so you’ve been drinking since the afternoon?”

As if.

We’re both high school students.

Well, technically this Earthaboo did do something illegal. It’s just not an issue on their planet because no one knows about it.

I glanced toward Hayun.

She was still looking at me with wide, round eyes.

I’d declined her Christmas invitation, but we hadn’t made any plans for today. Or maybe she was surprised that I had a friend she didn’t know about?

“Well… I’ve heard that people from other planets can drink from a young age, but that doesn’t mean we should follow suit, right?”

“I didn’t drink alcohol.”

I turned my gaze back to the girl buzzing around Hayun like a mosquito.

“If not alcohol, how are you so drunk?”

“Coffee.”

“Coffee?”

“Yes, coffee. They get drunk on caffeine.”

The problem with this excuse is that there are countless people on Earth who use “this kind” of excuse.

Though races haven’t completely mixed yet, on a galactic scale, the number of intelligent life forms reaches 1.5 trillion. That “1.5 trillion” is the number tallied by the Galactic Federation. It means that’s how many beings have the technological capability to travel into outer space on spaceships.

Of course, Earth hasn’t fully accepted the Galactic Federation yet, and the Federation has its own considerations, so the number of aliens allowed to visit Earth is limited. Still, it’s natural to see them on the streets with about the same frequency as foreign tourists.

While foreign tourists visiting Seoul mostly gather in places like Jongno or Myeongdong where they can experience Korean culture and shop, aliens are different. After all, anywhere on Earth is “not their planet.”

Wherever they go, they thoroughly enjoy the completely different atmosphere from their home planets, so alien tourists can be found in any reasonably famous country’s reasonably large city.

Naturally, “excuses” come in all varieties, and Earth people often engage in illegal activities alongside them, hiding behind these “excuses.”

It might look that way to someone who doesn’t know better.

“Want to smell my breath?”

When I said that, the girl made a disgusted face.

“Stop making excuses—”

“Wait.”

Before she could rebut, Hayun stepped in.

As Hayun took a step toward us, there was a crunching sound of snow under her feet.

“Jieun, I’m sorry.”

“…”

While I was trying to think of some cutting remark without cursing that might earn me praise later, Hayun apologized to me first.

“You’re from Kipyuren Planet, right?”

“Huh?”

When Hayun slightly bent her waist and looked at the Earthaboo’s face, they responded to the planet name by raising their head.

Blink.

And those eyes blinked.

After staring blankly at Hayun for a moment, their eyes slowly widened.

“B-B-B-B-Blossom?!”

Then, as if the alcohol—no, the caffeine—had suddenly worn off, they straightened their back.

…Right, this is why I didn’t want to run into them.

They’re an “Earthaboo,” after all. Of course they like magical girls too.

And Blossom was the most popular among those magical girls.

They never said it directly, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one reason they chose this neighborhood among the cheap areas was because “it’s close to where Blossom lives.”

“Hello. Are you Jieun’s friend? Jieun has never told me about her friends outside of school.”

It’s more that I don’t often talk about my personal life. If I start sharing too much, people might find out that I live in an orphanage and that I’m a combatant for the forces of evil.

“What? What? Oh, yes!”

The Earthaboo looked back and forth between Hayun and me, trying to assess the situation. Is it just my imagination? I don’t think I’ve ever seen this Earthaboo move their head this quickly before.

“I’m Lee Hayun, Jieun’s school friend.”

“Oh, yes, yes.”

As if they could only say “oh” and “yes,” the Earthaboo nodded vigorously.

“Jieun and I, um, while working part-time.”

Hearing those words, my heart rate shot up dramatically. Given how clueless they usually act, I was anxious they might say something inappropriate.

“Oh, I see.”

Glance.

Hayun’s gaze briefly turned toward me.

I’ve never mentioned working part-time.

…Really, I haven’t. Though I consciously avoided it, thinking back, I realize I’ve barely shared any personal information with Hayun during our first year of high school.

Well, it’s not entirely my fault; we’ve both just been busy.

As we get closer to the “main story” timeline, the circuits have been developing faster, and Noir Corporation has been moving more quickly too. Naturally, magical girls are busy as well.

Meanwhile, Hayun has been preparing for college entrance exams. Though we’re just about to enter our second year, which might seem early, apparently she needs to prepare consistently from now to get into the art school she’s aiming for. Her club activities have gotten busier too.

“…”

Even though it’s not my fault, I felt a twinge of guilt somewhere, so I slightly averted my gaze.

“Of course, caffeine consumption has never been illegal in our country.”

Hayun spoke in a gentle, measured tone.

“But isn’t it problematic to take advantage of that too much? You might run into someone from your homeland on the street.”

Even if they’re from the same planet, they’re likely from different countries, but still, the possibility isn’t zero. The fact that this Earthaboo could come here means travel from their planet has been approved.

“Oh, yes!”

Hearing that response, Hayun slowly nodded and smiled.

“Ah, um, excuse me!”

As Hayun’s face was about to turn toward me, the Earthaboo shouted.

“Yes?”

When Hayun responded with slight surprise, the Earthaboo quickly rummaged through their coat.

Then they pulled out a notebook and a pen.

…

Hey, wait a minute.

I almost lost my composure when I saw what they were offering.

By the time I managed to hold back from shouting, they were already handing the notebook and pen to Hayun.

…That’s a combatant notebook.

It’s full of work schedules and even has things like checklists and “tear-off heartfelt message” sections!

Fortunately, there’s nothing written on the cover, and if you flip through the front part, there are just blank lined memo pages, but it’s still dangerous to show it to others.

Well, it’s not like it contains any major secrets, but anyone who sees you with it would know you work for that side.

Luckily, Hayun didn’t seem to recognize what the notebook was and naturally accepted it to sign.

[Happy Cherry Blossom]

Not her name, but her magical girl name.

“What should I write for you?”

Hayun asked kindly with a smile.

“Oh, um, then, ‘Pang Pang.'”

…That’s why I don’t call them by name. When I call them that around other people, everyone thinks it’s a nickname.

But Hayun, true to her Galactic Federation background, didn’t mind the name at all. After signing “Pang Pang!” she returned the pen and notebook to the Earthaboo.

Looking at it with sparkling eyes, the Earthaboo shouted,

“Thank you! I’ll treasure this as a keepsake!”

“No, you don’t have to go that far…”

Hayun responded with a slightly troubled expression, then deeply bowed to the Earthaboo.

“Eek?!”

The Earthaboo turned even bluer than usual at Hayun’s sudden action.

“Please take good care of Jieun.”

“What? What?”

The Earthaboo’s language ability regressed again.

“…”

And watching this scene made me feel a bit upset.

Hayun is… a good person. All magical girls are good. Iris may have a twisted personality, but she still maintains her own standards by not using her power to kill people. Her nature is fundamentally “good.”

And among them, I know Hayun’s good nature well, having been childhood friends in this world.

However.

“Oh, yes…”

Whether sensing something strange or because the caffeine had worn off, the Earthaboo’s response became somewhat ambiguous.

That’s right. Hayun is good.

She’s so good that she feels she needs to take care of those who are… somewhat lacking.

She doesn’t explicitly categorize people. Hayun wouldn’t even think of doing that.

It’s a kind of compulsion, perhaps. Maybe she was influenced by her family.

Whether the deficiency is in money, intelligence, or athletic ability, Hayun takes care of children with a sense of mission. And that’s why she’s popular. Though her personality might make her a target for twisted individuals, well, bullying someone who happens to be a magical girl isn’t exactly a wise choice.

Especially since Iris also attends our school.

Anyway.

Hayun’s way of thinking… honestly irritates me sometimes.

Especially when I become the object of her care.

It’s the biggest reason why I still keep my orphanage background a secret.

“Well… Happy New Year.”

Hayun said.

The Earthaboo’s face became goofy again. Whatever strangeness they felt earlier seemed to have been thrown to the sky.

“Yes, Happy New Year!”

For some reason, when the Earthaboo said that, the girl next to Hayun also became arrogant.

This must be some kind of national pride thing. Earth people’s pride has been hurt a lot since the Galactic Federation made contact with Earth.

There are actually aliens who discriminate against Earth people too.

“And, Jieun.”

“…Yeah.”

“I’ll call you.”

“Yeah, call me.”

At my words, Hayun smiled at me and waved her hand.

We turned back in the directions we were heading.

Hayun looked back at me several times as she walked.

Since I saw her doing that, naturally I did the same.

“…Did you know Blossom?”

After walking for a while, the Earthaboo suddenly asked.

“Didn’t I tell you?”

“Not at all.”

“Yeah. We’re friends.”

“You should have told me earlier!”

“…I didn’t tell you because I was afraid of this reaction.”

“That’s mean!”

But if I had told you, you would have asked me to introduce you.

It’s really annoying. Despite everything, I wanted to maintain my relationship with Hayun. I had no intention of exploiting it.

Later, after graduation when I start working, I’ll receive less one-sided consideration. That’s when I plan to reveal that I’m from an orphanage.

By then, I’ll have quit being a combatant too, so there’s no need to reveal that separately.

It might not be a completely equal relationship, but well. It will be much more “friend-like.”

“Hey~ I have a favor to ask~”

“No.”

“You didn’t even listen?!”

When I flatly refused without listening, the Earthaboo shouted.

The favor would probably be to help them collect magical girl signatures.

That’s one of the main reasons they’re on Earth.

And that’s why they can’t shake their “fan mentality.” Most people who come to Earth mistakenly thinking that Earth people navigate space without magic, love peace, and all know how to enjoy culture and leisure end up returning home mentally ill.

It’s better to have an interest in specific idols or magical girls like this.

“And now you can walk by yourself, right? Go home on your own.”

“Eck.”

My words must have been quite shocking, as the Earthaboo staggered.

*

“…”

Hayun and her friend walked in silence for a while.

Hayun usually lived with an expression that seemed unfamiliar with the concept of “feeling bad.”

She rarely thought of anyone as unpleasant, and even if she did, she wouldn’t express it openly.

Others saw Hayun as extroverted but gentle and kind, but that was actually a misconception.

For some reason, people gravitated toward her, and for some reason, those people expected something from Hayun.

Hayun had only recently begun to realize that one reason for this was her job as a “magical girl.”

It happened just now too.

That Kipyuren alien called “Pang Pang” who seemed drunk on caffeine. Until they recognized Hayun, they were just incoherent, but as soon as they saw Hayun’s face, their behavior changed immediately.

How did those two end up together?

There are quite a few aliens on Earth, but becoming close friends with an alien isn’t easy.

There’s a much deeper divide than can be expressed by simply saying “cultural differences.”

Just look at that blue-faced alien. They get drunk on caffeine.

If an Earth person met someone like that for the first time, they’d be horrified at a café. People from Kipyuren Planet become much louder when intoxicated. In other words, that person probably shouted loudly in the café.

“…”

“Hey, Hayun?”

“Hm?”

Only when her friend called did Hayun blink. She belatedly realized her eyes were stinging.

“Is it because of those two from earlier?”

“Hm?”

What is she talking about?

Receiving Hayun’s gaze, her friend smiled and said,

“I knew it. That girl doesn’t seem to realize what kind of amazing person she knows.”

“…”

Hayun couldn’t continue for a moment.

“Hanging around with some weird alien.”

Ah, I see.

Hayun thought.

She doesn’t know how close Hayun and Jieun are. She can’t even imagine it.

It had been especially like this since entering high school. While middle school was close to elementary school so many friends transferred together, the high school Hayun and Jieun attended was a bus ride away.

As relationships reset, people emerged who thought they were closer to Hayun than Jieun was.

“…”

How should she respond?

Hayun felt a bit confused.

She liked Jieun. Since childhood, Jieun had been someone who calmly listened to whatever Hayun said.

Not only that. Though she didn’t seem aware of it herself, Jieun was deeply considerate.

Hayun could easily imagine what kind of scene that alien might have caused in the café. She didn’t know what they talked about, but she had seen in the Galactic Federation’s educational materials what crimes “intoxicated Kipyuren Planet people” committed. It wasn’t much different from the level of crimes humans commit when drinking too much alcohol.

If it had actually escalated to a real crime, they would have been deported, so it probably didn’t go that far, but it meant Jieun had sat and listened to that alien Pang Pang until the end. She even lent her shoulder.

It was something Hayun would never have done.

How could anyone do that to a close friend?

…

No, that’s not right either.

“To be honest, there are some things about her that I don’t like.”

What are you going to do if you don’t like her?

People aren’t entities that can be changed just because you don’t like something about them.

“Even her uniform looks kind of shabby, and she doesn’t seem to have many friends. Don’t you think?”

“…”

Hayun couldn’t bring herself to answer.

I see.

Earlier, when this girl was saying such things, Hayun couldn’t interject. Getting into verbal arguments face-to-face was too difficult for Hayun.

So, in the end, she had been a nuisance, no different from the alien.

At least that alien probably wouldn’t say the kinds of things this girl was saying to Jieun.

“…”

How did she end up walking with this girl?

She had just stepped out to the neighborhood entrance and happened to run into her…

…She should have stayed home.

As she half-listened to the girl proudly chattering beside her, Hayun blankly regretted her decision.